The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-12-10
PRACTICAL CAUTIONS.
An Ounce OF Prevention From the lnsuI
ance Companies.

I OF the material resources OF the coiintr,
0 are swept away by fire. This loss is al
r absolute one. Il can not he replaced
, nor repaired The individual owne
does not feel this II adequately insured
r but, nevertheless. with every fire tn,
country at large is poorer by the amoun
of the loss.
It is alarming to note that in spite o.
J our continually improving facilities fol
fighting fire, and tho increasing mum.
bers Of fire-proof buildings, the grcs.
losses throughout the country grow
steadily greater year by year. Below
Is an accurate tabulated statement OF
the country's yearly loss by fire, which
Is not pleasant reading:
1878. 80 Gf3l5,OOO 1889. .siOO 49, oO0
IssS Isse s93SS TsSasSSS isss losslsS
1881 ....... 81 ,2S3, 900 1885, ....... lOLg24OOl
Ss2.......... 8i5O5,0OO
Our national resources are so inn
mense that the country has not yet
seriously felt this drain, but it is evil
dent that the time must como when it
will feel it. This is especially true il
we take into consideration the amount
Of money spent annually in fighting
fire. New York's fire department alone
costs more than $1,000,000 annually;
its insurance patrol more than $100.
900.
The principal insurance companies.
actuated by such considerations, havo
adopted plan which is so simple and
promises to be so effective that it de-
serves to have public atten ton called
to it.
They have printed and propose to dis
tribute gratuitously through every build
ing in the city, II set of "Fire Caution l."
Their idea is that if these are posted in
conspicuous places in Office buildings,
factories, tenement houses and the like,
the practical cautions they embody
will not be apt to be forgotten. Ger
tainly, if they are remembered and al
ways carefully observed, accidental
fires would be few and far betw cen.
The cautions are given below. 1t
can be seen that they are sensible,
practical and intelligible:
Don't allow stoves or heaters on your
promises which are not securely set on
stone, ccmented brick or metal. and be
sure that all woodwork near the stoves
or pipes is carefully protected with
metal.
Don't allow any loose-jointed gas
brackets on your premises which could
be swung against woodwork, or any
gas brackets without wire screens or
globes, if hay. straw, light materials or
window curtains are near them.
Don't allow any electric lights or
wires ON your premises which are not
properly protected.
Don't allow steam-pipes to be in con-
tact with wood or inHammable ma
terial.
Don't allow any kerosene oil lamps
is be filed after dark. Filling lamps
near fire is dangerous.
Don't forget to keep the lamps filled,
and wicks in good order. When the oil |
is low it generates gas, which is liable
to explode.
Don't allow benzine, gasoline, naptha
or explosives in your place. Your in
surance policy prohibits it.
wooden box or barrel in your building.
Always have an iron ash can.
Don't allow any oily waste or rags to
be thrown on the floor, but only in q
metal can, with cover, and have them
taken out of the building every night;
they are self-igniting.
Don't allow any greasy or oily rags
or papers to be mixed up with clean
clippings, or u large amount of clip
pings to remain in your place (even if
clean and in bales) than is absolutely
unavoidable.
Don't allow saw-dust to be used on
floors or in spittoons. 1t causes many
fires, ignited by cigar stunips or cigar
cites.
Don't allow saw-dust to be used for
catching oil drippings from machines
or elevator gearing. Sand is safe.
Don't allow matches to be kept loose,
or in paper boxes, but only in metal or
carthen safes. Those lighting only on
the box are safest.
Don't allow smoking on your prem
ises where any combustible goods or
are used.
Don't fail to have your tire-buckets
filled. and test hose and fire appliances
from time to time.
Don't allow your stairs or Railways
to be blocked up or used for storage"
Or rubbish, hay, straw, etc., to accumu-
late or remain on your premises.
Don't fail to have all elevators or
hoistways provided with good trap
doors or matches, and have these shut
ut night. Mt
Don't forget to close your iron shut
ters at night. ts4tsB
Don't forget that neglect and care
essness are the cause of more fires than
all other things. and enforce rules to
guard against them.-M y CONNER
,iat Adgertiser.
Domestic Felicity.